Impact of probiotic supplements on microbiome diversity following antibiotic treatment of mice

What is it about?

The general public is becoming more and more aware of the impact microbiome can have on their daily lives. Probiotics (yogurts, pills, etc) are being broadly marketed at the general public but we don't have a real understanding of their impact. In this work, my students at Ithaca college explore the impacts of probiotic supplements on the recolonization of the microbiome after it was depleted by antibiotic treatment. We found probiotics were remarkably impactful on shifting the specific types of bacteria which colonized the intestines. Probiotics inhibited bad bacteria (opportunistic pathogens) and promoted other "good" bacteria. However, the "good" bacteria which was most dominant is relatively unknown to science.

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Why is it important?

Our microbiome has a tremendous impact on our health and well-being. Probiotics and antibiotics provide mechanisms to shape that microbiome and improve human health.

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